Latest News

• Friday, January 19, 2024

  Veterans Converge on Albany for Mid-Winter Conference

  

  Leo Mackin and Mike Nussbaum with service dog Ginger were among hundreds of veterans participating in the Mid-Winter Conference. Photos by Robert Stronach.

  The three-day American Legion Mid-Winter Conference got underway Friday, Jan. 19, with hundreds of veterans and family members converging on Albany.

  Participants include members of The American Legion Department of New York, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.

  Held at the Crowne Plaza Desmond Hotel, the conference features workshops and seminars on a host of topics affecting military veterans, plus a Sunday morning general session.

  One of the primary themes of the conference is the effort to curb veteran suicide under The American Legion’s “Be the One” campaign that encourages members to reach out to veterans who may be showing signs of wanting to take their own lives.

  PHOTO ABOVE:

  Among the hundreds of veterans participating in the Mid-Winter Conference were Leo Mackin, proudly displaying his “grandpa” status, and Mike Nussbaum, accompanied by his service dog, Ginger.

  Mackin is a member of Richfield Springs Post 616 and served as vice commander of Districts 5 and 6 last year.

  Nussbaum is commander of Wheatfield Post 1451. A former army medic, Nussbaum served in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Ginger helps him cope with post traumatic stress.